Ryerson renames School of Nursing

28 May 2008

Ryerson University renamed its nursing school Wednesday after, appropriately, a nurse. The newly-dubbed Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing — the largest nursing school in Canada — takes its name from the mother of a major donor.

The Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing honours the mother of Jack Cockwell, a major donor to the university and member of the Board of Governors. Jack Cockwell and family have donated $11.5 million to Ryerson over the years, including a recent gift of $5 million directed to the School of Nursing.

Trained in South Africa during the 1930s, Daphne Cockwell served as a nurse as her first career and later worked as a volunteer with returning veterans from World War II. Today, she is 93 years of age and enjoying retirement.

“We are particularly proud that this is Canada’s first School of Nursing to be named after a nurse,” said Kileen Tucker Scott, director of the school.

“I am proud that [Ryerson’s] school of nursing now bears my mother’s name,” said Jack Cockwell. “The school’s students, faculty, staff and alumni are outstanding health-care professionals who share her pride in compassionate care of the highest standard.”

The announcement comes a day after the Univeristy of Toronto received $14 million towards it’s renamed John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture.